A nine-year-old Cuban boy walks up to six kilometers each day in Havana, not to meet friends or family, but to beg for money to eat. The child lives somewhere in La Víbora, in the Diez de Octubre municipality, and slowly makes his way to El Vedado daily, hoping to buy at least two or three pizzas costing 200 pesos each.
The boy was met by Ricardo Acostarana, a lawyer and writer, who shared his story. The child attends Jesús Hernández Alfonso primary school, is in the fourth grade, and has a particular interest in natural sciences. "He goes out to walk from Monday to Friday after school. On Fridays, he arrives in Vedado earlier because classes end at noon," Acostarana recounted on his Facebook wall.
"The boy doesn't take the bus, he doesn’t know which bus to take to get to Vedado, and 'two pesos are two pesos,' or so he told me," Acostarana added.
Dozens of people commented on the post, outraged by the harsh reality faced by children in Cuba, and some offered to help the boy in this sad story. "My heart breaks every time I see a child begging for money. I help with what I can; I can't fix the world, but at least I think I’ve done my part. I wish I could do more," said one mother.
"He is not the only child in this situation, hence the sadness. I knew a similar case of a boy who contacted me on the street, but he lives in Guanabacoa. He told me he fixed patios, mowed lawns, washed cars, whatever he could do. I was tormented. I gave him all the money I had on me," a writer shared.
A resident of La Víbora confirmed that many children and young people are seen and heard even late at night, hawking bread, plums, tamarinds, among other things. "The worst part is that no one seems to care. In the very short term, we will be witnessing the sad consequences of this poor diet, nutrition, and lifestyle of today's children and young people," she lamented.
"My country has become a place where children have to endure such sad realities. I know a similar story; a 12-year-old boy who sells water to eat after school," a resident of Manzanillo denounced.
Child Poverty and Begging in Cuba
In light of the article, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about child poverty and begging in Cuba.
What drives children in Cuba to beg for money?
Many children in Cuba are driven to beg for money due to extreme poverty and lack of adequate food and resources. Economic hardships and insufficient government support contribute to this grim reality.
How does the community react to children begging on the streets?
The community's reaction is often one of sadness and outrage. Many people express a desire to help, though they may feel powerless to effect significant change. Some individuals take immediate action by offering money or food to the children.
Are there any government initiatives to help these children?
While there are some government programs aimed at addressing child poverty, many believe they are insufficient and fail to reach the most vulnerable children. The systemic issues within the socialist regime are often blamed for the lack of effective solutions.